Britain has acted against Syrian military commanders linked to violence against civilians, including rebel commanders who were close to the new authorities.
The Foreign Office introduced nine sanction designations on Friday. It said it was sanctioning people and armed groups linked to atrocities committed during Syria's civil war and more recent incidents, as the UK “continues to pursue those responsible for violence against the Syrian people”.
The decision to impose an asset freeze the Sultan Murad division targets a unit formerly headed by current Assistant Minister for Defence Fahim Issa. The listing also includes the Sultan Suleiman Shah Division, a group commanded by Mohammed Al Jasim, now a brigadier general and commander of the 62nd Division of the Syrian army. Sayf Boulad, commander of the Hamzat Division militia group, is also placed under sanctions.
The new sanctions cover six people and three organisations accused of involvement in serious abuses against civilians. Four of the people are linked to suspected atrocities at the height of the civil war and to violence this year in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartous.
Two others are businessmen accused of financially supporting the former regime, led by Bashar Al Assad, which was responsible for widespread and systematic human rights abuses.
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